Debra Remonia Payton

Debra Remonia Payton was born August 21, 1956 in Dickson, TN to the union of Wardell D.Hughes Sr.  and Mary A. Hughes.

Debra graduated from Maplewood High School. 

She worked at Clover Bottom as a Nurse Aide. 

She also worked in childcare.

She loved helping to care for others, who needed her support.

Debra was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 4, 1987. She loved her family and her God.

She always told others of Jehovah’s promise of paradise in the future. She would also preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to all whom she came in contact with. 

Debra never met a stranger, and her laugh is what would draw people to her.

Debra loved cooking, sewing, crafts, and DIY projects. She loved spending time with family and friends. Especially her five grandchildren, who she would give the world to if she could and trust me, she tried lol. 

She originally didn’t want to be called granny when she found out she would be a grandmother, but when that same first grandson gave her that name, it melted her heart.

Debra was full of life, laughter, and love. Some of her nick names were Baby Tutu, Mama Pay Pay, and Pretty Bird.

She fell asleep in death on January 24, 2024.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents Wardell D. Hughes Sr. and Mary A. Hughes; brothers Wardell D. Hughes Jr., Micheal R. Hughes, sisters Alice G. Cook, Jeanine S. Hughes-Dickerson, and also her beloved son James Allen Payton III.

Debra leaves behind to cherish her memories her daughters, LaTasha (Brian) Bond, Tiffany (Sherman) Carver, sisters, Sandra Jones, Beverly (James) Lockridge, and brother Mark (Sandra) Hughes. Her precious grandsons  De’Markus Micheal Lee Carver, Carmello James Carver, Marquise Tyrone Bass, Kameron Allen Carver, and precious granddaughter Melanie Denise Lena Carver along with Mr. James Allen Payton Jr, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

This is Debra’s favorite song:

Life Without End -At Last!

Can you see with your mind ‘s eye,

Peoples dwellings together?

Sorrow had passed

Peace at Last

Life without tears or pain.

Sing out with joy of heart!

You too can have a part.

Live for the day when you’ll say, 

“Life without end, at last! “

John 3:16, Rev.21:4.

Debra loved her parents, sisters, brothers, daughters, beloved son, sons-in-laws, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other families/dear friends. 

We will keep her in our memories and in our hearts. 

We will see Debra again in Paradise.

We would like to thank everyone who took care of our mother, sister, and granny at the Bethany facility/dialysis clinics and Alive Hospice.

We sincerely appreciate the thoughts, acts of kindness, prayers, and expressions of sympathy from our family and friends with love.